Nine To Noon for Friday 17 November 2023

 

09:05 Tech sector revenue up, but AI will see jobs go

This year's Technology Investment Network's TIN200 companies report indicates the top 200 tech sector companies generated more than 17-billion in revenue in the year to June - an increase of 1-point-8 billion on the year earlier. The report surveys 1200 companies, with the top 200 businesses ranked by revenue. Fisher and Paykel Appliances and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare lead the pack, followed by Datacom and Xero. TIN Managing Director Greg Shanahan says it's a rosy picture for the tech sector but the biggest thing holding it back is our ongoing skills shortage. Susie also speaks with Wellington tech investor and director Serge van Dam, who says the sector is in good heart but the advance of the artificial intelligence revolution has massive implications for white-collar workers who urgently need to upskill and adapt.

09:25 Helping five to seven-year-olds with reading and writing

An  early childhood literacy programme which is in almost half of all the country's state primary schools has just been recognised with the University of Canterbury's innovation medal. Professor Gail Gillon co- leads the team which developed the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA). It has so far helped 45,000 children to read and write. Professor Gillon talks to Susie about how the programme works and why it works.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

Koroi Hawkins discusses the beginning of cyclone season, with two storms pummeling the Pacific in its first week. And in Vanuatu, a dissolution of parliament has been avoided after a meeting between the President Nikenike Vurobaravu and political leaders on Monday morning. It has been just over a year since the last snap elections in October 2022, with the country's people and economy still reeling from the impacts of multiple cyclones this year.

10:05 Spirit of Adventure to set sail celebrating 50 years

The Spirit of Adventure ship will sail south later this month on a rather special journey. The ship, owned and operated by the Spirit of Adventure Trust and runs programmes for young New Zealanders to learn independence, leadership and community all while at sea. The trust is celebrating 50 years of delivering the programmes to more than 80-thousand young people by touring the country starting in a week from today. The Spirit of Adventure is a tall ship - known as a barquentine - with a steel hull and three large white masts. It's a 42.5 metre ship and can carry 40 trainees and 14 crew. Over the years the programmes on the ships have set a new path ahead for its young participants who are often surprised at their own ability to manage the ship - whether from cooking, engineering or captaining among other tasks. Some of those stories have been told in The Spirit Companion: Celebrating the first 50 years of the Spirit of Adventure Trust  - a new book out by author Roger McDonald. Along with the Trust's chief executive Bruce Pilbrow, Roger tells Susie about the stories that have made the Spirit journey what it is today.

10:35 Book review: Divine Might by Natalie Haynes 

Jessie Bray Sharpin reviews Divine Might by Natalie Haynes published by Macmillan

10:45 Around the motu: Matthew Rosenberg in Gisborne

Seabed mapping is underway in Poverty Bay and the results ill be used to improve boat safety, and also for marine scientists to use – and Land Information New Zealand has even found a shipwreck in the process. Also, issues are plaguing Gisborne’s public toilet network, with a recent council report warning the system is at a critical juncture.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Circle Of Friends is the ninth album from esteemed Auckland producer Christoph El Truento - a jazz record involving collaborations with a bunch of his favourite local singers/rappers/instrumentalists. Grant Smithies plays two key songs from that today, followed by a mighty new song from Wellington trio Mermaidens and a winningly surreal dub history lesson from the late Prince Far I.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman gives us the latest on the cricket - much like the Rugby World Cup it's the big hitters that are contenders for the cup.

He also talks to Susie about what's happening in Sevens Rugby, and sportswashing - has its day in the sun been and gone already? 

11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Irene Pink

Te Radar and Irene Pink debate an astronaut's chances of recovering their lost tool bag  - last spotted orbiting Earth.